Computing Department

The department aims to make every student in the school IT literate and enable them to demonstrate a high level of Digital Literacy in the real world.

As students’ progress to KS4 and KS5 the department has two different pathways. One for those wishing to increase their IT skill base and another for those who wish to develop their understanding of Computing as a subject

KS3 Overview – Projects

Year 7

Term 1 and 2 Learning to Code and Staying Safe Online

Term 3 and 4 Kodu Visual Programming and Computer Basics

Term 5 and 6 Scratch and Animation

Year 8

Term 1 and 2 Emerging Technology and Cyber Crime

Term 3 and 4 AppShed and Web Design

Term 5 and 6 Flowcharts, Pseudo Code and Representing Data

Year 9

Term 1 and 2 Artificial Intelligence and Graphic Design

Term 3 and 4 Promotional Trailer and Excel

Term 5 and 6 Python Projects, Networks and Business Documents

KS4 Overview

AQA

GCSE AQA

Why should you study Computer Science?

This qualification will develop students’ ability to apply ‘computational thinking’. Computational Thinking (CT) is a process that generalises a solution to open ended problems. “Computational thinking will be a fundamental skill used by everyone by the middle of the 21st Century. Just like reading, writing and arithmetic.”

What topics will you learn in Computer Science?

Computational thinking: This is the process of thinking through a complex problem, taking the time to understand what the problem is and then develop potential solutions for evaluation. These are then presented in a way that a computer, a human, or both, can understand.

Theoretical content: Here you will understand the fundamentals of data representation and computer networks. You will learn about the computer systems that you will create and use and also delve in to the world of cyber security and ethical legal and environmental impacts of digital technology.

Aspects of software development: Understand how to implement and test a design to make sure it works effectively. Learn how to complete an overall evaluation to help refine the end product.

Computational thinking and problem solving

1 hour 40 minute exam at the end of Year 11 50%

Topics include: 1. Fundamentals of algorithms

Programming

Fundamentals of data representation

Computer systems

Written Assessment

1 hour 40 minute exam at the end of Year 11 50%

Topics include: 5. Fundamentals of computer networks

Fundamentals of cyber security

Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on the wider society, including issues of privacy

Non Examined Assessment

This includes the development of a computer program along with the computer programming code itself which has been designed, written and tested by a student to solve a problem. Students will produce an original report outlining this development.

OCR Creative imedia

R081: Pre-Production Skills

1 hour 15 minute exam end of Year 10 - 25%

Understand how pre-production skills are used in the creative and digital media sector. Develop understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process

R082: Creating digital graphics– Coursework- 25%

Understand the basics of digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector

Understand where and why digital graphics are used and what techniques are involved in their creation

R089: Creating a digital video sequence– Coursework- 25%

Understand where digital video is used in the media industry such as television, film, web applications or computer gaming

Understand how these technologies are developed to reach an identified target audience

R091: Designing a game concept– Coursework- 25%

Understand the capabilities and limitations of a range of platforms

Understand core features of digital games and gain the knowledge to create a games design concept proposal that can be presented to a client for critical review

Equivalent to one whole GCSE

KS5 Overview

BTEC in Computing

Year 12

Unit 1: Principles of Computer Science

Mandatory unit for Extended Certificate, Two hour examination where learners will be assessed on their ability to apply their computational-thinking skills to solve problems. 90 Marks.

Unit 2: Fundamentals of Computer Systems

Mandatory unit for all Applied General qualifications. One hour and 45 minutes written examination where learners will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of how computer systems work. 80 Marks.

Year 13

Unit 7: IT Systems Security and Encryption

Coursework—Report

Learners will provide comprehensive evidence that they have fully investigated and considered how effective security protection measures are likely to be in defending the IT systems of organisations against the security threats that they have been examining.

Unit 10: Human-computer Interaction

Coursework—Report

Learners will provide comprehensive evidence that they have fully investigated the impact that the design principles of HCI have on how electronic devices (for example smartphones, tablets, games consoles and other consumer devices with embedded computers) are used.

BTEC in IT

Year 12

Unit 3 Social Media—You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals. In this unit you will draw on your learning from across your programme to complete assessment tasks.

Unit 6 Website Development - You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals. In this unit you will draw on your learning from across your programme to complete assessment tasks.

Year 13

Unit 1—Information Technology Systems—You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals. In this unit you will draw on your learning from across your programme to complete assessment tasks.

Unit 2—Creative System to Manage Information

You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals. In this unit you will draw on your learning from across your programme to complete assessment tasks.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Department Computing Rooms open on a rota basis through the week – Break, Lunch and Afterschool

Digital Leaders – Become a student who participates in supporting the department in its technological improvements

Retro Gamer Club

Animation Club

Young Game Designer Club

Codebreaking and CyberHacking Club

Next steps or where the subject leads

Students with a keen interest in finding out how computers work and how to program them or enhancing their IT skills will enjoy this subject. You will develop both a theory understanding and practical skills.

You will also develop transferrable skills such as communication, problem solving, time management, research and analytical skills as well as emphasising the need for good written and verbal communication skills.

The selection of courses we have on offer will prepare you to study Computing, Computer Science, Software Development, Software Engineering or one of the many ICT/ Business Information Systems courses in Further or Higher Education.

A recent survey by DFES showed that 90% of all jobs in the UK required the use of ICT.